Raft.



L. HILL.

RAFT.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 28, 1911.

1,007,444, Patented Oct. 31, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WITN$5E6 IIVYENTOR COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH cu WASHINGTON. n. c.

L. HILL.

RAFT.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 28, 1911 1,007,444, Patented Oct. 31, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES IN YE N TOR Laura H? X/ 7% BY @KWQQ COLUMBlA PLANOGRAPH (20., WASHINGTON. n. c.

LAURA HILL, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

RAFT.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LAURA HILL, a citizen of the United States, resident in the city of Seattle, in the county of King and State of YVashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rafts, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in life rafts, and comprises the novel parts and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter particularly described and pointed out in the claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a life raft of an improved character and one which has a measure of flexibility, to accommodate itself to the varying surface of the sea and also to provide a greater protection to the occupants.

In the drawings I have shown my invention in the form which is now preferred by me.

Figure 1 is a plan view of my raft. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the raft. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the raft. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation of the raft.

I mount the raft upon two pontoons 1, these being secured to a frame work 11 as by bands 10. Upon this frame is secured two members 3 which are designed as inclosing and protecting members for the occupants. These members 3 are provided with bottoms, ends and sides, the sides and ends extending upward enough to serve as walls to protect the occupants against being washed or falling off. These members 3 may be made of thick wood of a light weight, so as to provide considerable buoyancy, or may be made of metal and hollow, for the same purpose. These body or inclosing members are hingedly or flexibly secured to the frame 11 along longitudinal lines by rope or other flexible means, as shown at 30. This permits them to give with the action of the waves thereon. At their ends the opposite members 3 are secured by ropes 31.

Along the center line of the raft is a center-board well, 12, in which is placed a centerboard 13, which may be raised if desired. At each side of the center-board well is placed a provision locker 15, and at the ends are water casks 16, these being built into the frame. These should be kept constantly stocked, ready for emergencies.

Posts 17 extend upward from the frame near each end and are connected at their Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 28, 1911.

Patented Oct. 31, 1911.

Serial No. 605,284.

upper ends by a bar 18. This will provide a convenient means for supporting a canvas or cover, if this should be desired. The outer side walls of the provision lockers are extended upward, as at 5, forming a compartment 50 at the center of the raft, elevated above the rest of the raft. This is designed to accommodate women, children or those who are sick, this location giving greater comfort and security.

Seats are provided at each side, these as shown consisting of two longitudinal boards 6 connected by cross boards 60. The sides of the raft are provided with fenders A.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A raft having pontoons, a frame secured upon the pontoons, and a passenger accommodating structure at each side the raft flexibly secured to the frame along its inner edge.

2. A raft having pontoons, a frame secured upon the pontoons, a passenger accommodating structure divided into two parts lying at each side the center, and rope connections for each of said parts with the frame along its inner edge.

3. A raft having pontoons, a frame secured upon the pontoons, a centerboard centrally placed in said frame, provision lockers at. each side of the centerboard, and a seating section hingedly secured at each side the center along their inner edges.

4. A raft having pontoons, a frame secured upon the pontoons, closed provision lockers centrally placed, a superstructure divided into two parts, each comprising a floor, a side wall and end walls and hingedly secured along its inner edge to the frame, said superstructure parts lying one at each side the provision lockers with their open side inward, and a retaining wall extending above and about the provision lockers to form an elevated compartment.

5. A raft having pontoons, a frame secured upon the pontoons, a post rising from each end of the frame, a bar connecting the upper ends of said posts, a superstructure divided into two parts each consisting of a bottom, one side and end walls and flexibly secured along its inner edge to the frame.

6. A raft having pontoons, a frame secured upon the pontoons, a centerboard centrally secured upon the frame, provision lockers at each side of the centerboard, an elevated guard wall surrounding the provision lockers to provide an elevated compartment, a post extending upward from each In testimony whereof I have hereunto end of the frame, an elevated bar connecting affixed my signature at Seattle, Washingsaid posts, a superstructure member at each ton, this 20th day of January, 1911.

side the raft, each consisting of a floor, one LAURA HILL. side and end Walls, said member being flexi- WVitnesses:

bly secured to the frame along its open H. L. REYNOLDS,

inner edge. CHARLES H. KREGER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

